Taxi union renews court threat
The Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) is threatening to move forward with a lawsuit against government for failing to reduce “unconstitutional and unjust traffic fines”, among other demands.
The taxi union held a media briefing yesterday at the offices of its legal practitioners, Kishi Shakumu & Co Inc., to canvass support from taxi drivers and members of the public.
It said it hopes the court will find that the traffic fines are unlawful.
NTTU president Werner Januarie said the aim of the meeting was also to introduce the legal practitioners to union members and make the intention of the court application against government clear.
He said the union is calling on all affected and interested parties to attend a general meeting on 18 August between 14:00 and 18:00 in front of the legal firm's offices, in order to give the lawyers' proper instructions.
Januarie also urged all interested parties to support the union by any means, including contributing financially to the court challenge.
“We call upon all members of the public to support our court bid, chief among which is to attend the court hearings, as well as to support via various other means, such as financial support; or rather we are calling on all fellow citizens, members of the public, as well as taxi drivers, to contribute financially to the constitutional challenge against the high, unconstitutional and unjust traffic fines.” Januarie previously said it would cost N$500 000 and upwards to launch a successful court application against the government.
He further said although NTTU is contemplating legal action, it will still be embarking on peaceful demonstration on 20 August to State House.
The union is also demanding the implementation of the “rapid results strategy”, a 20% increment on taxi fares across-the-board, the recognition of taxi drivers and their representative union by the ministry and government as a whole, as well as the speedy provision of solutions on other issues.
ELLANIE SMIT
The taxi union held a media briefing yesterday at the offices of its legal practitioners, Kishi Shakumu & Co Inc., to canvass support from taxi drivers and members of the public.
It said it hopes the court will find that the traffic fines are unlawful.
NTTU president Werner Januarie said the aim of the meeting was also to introduce the legal practitioners to union members and make the intention of the court application against government clear.
He said the union is calling on all affected and interested parties to attend a general meeting on 18 August between 14:00 and 18:00 in front of the legal firm's offices, in order to give the lawyers' proper instructions.
Januarie also urged all interested parties to support the union by any means, including contributing financially to the court challenge.
“We call upon all members of the public to support our court bid, chief among which is to attend the court hearings, as well as to support via various other means, such as financial support; or rather we are calling on all fellow citizens, members of the public, as well as taxi drivers, to contribute financially to the constitutional challenge against the high, unconstitutional and unjust traffic fines.” Januarie previously said it would cost N$500 000 and upwards to launch a successful court application against the government.
He further said although NTTU is contemplating legal action, it will still be embarking on peaceful demonstration on 20 August to State House.
The union is also demanding the implementation of the “rapid results strategy”, a 20% increment on taxi fares across-the-board, the recognition of taxi drivers and their representative union by the ministry and government as a whole, as well as the speedy provision of solutions on other issues.
ELLANIE SMIT
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